Singapore upgrades for Mercedes

The Mercedes team have clearly dropped off the pace during this seasons Formula One World Championship.

During the early stages of the season, despite Michael Schumacher struggling to even complete a race, the Mercedes did boast a good turn of pace and was a clear contender amongst the other top cars on the grid like Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Lotus.

Not only did Nico Rosberg secure his maiden win in Formula One in China, but he also went on stand on the podium again in Monaco, whilst Schumacher qualified fastest in Monte Carlo and would have started from pole position if it wasn't for a grid penalty handed to him in Spain.

The seven time former Formula One World Champion did return to the podium in Valencia, but over the past five races Mercedes have lacked the pace required to return to the podium.

Three seventh place finishes and one sixth place has been the best Schumacher has been able to muster, whilst Rosberg has had two tenths and a seventh.

Not exactly the results required of a team, trying to break into the top four in the F1 constructors championship and they now sit 91 points behind Lotus and only 26 points ahead of an ambitious Sauber team.

If they want to try and lure 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton to the team, the Mercedes AMG team are going to have to show some potential soon and a new upgrade package which is ready for Singapore is what Mercedes are relying on.

A revised exhaust layout has been heavily tested during last week's young driver test at Magny-Cours.

Test drivers Sam Bird and Brendon Hartley were handed the job of testing in France and after completing over 1000 kilometres over the course of three days, Mercedes will try its new Coanda-effect exhausts on both Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg's car during free practice on Friday.

If the two Germans like the new package, they will race it on Sunday and Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn believes the new exhaust could benefit the team greatly around the slower speed turns of the Marina Bay circuit.

'The effect of the exhaust is more significant at lower speeds than higher speeds, and also brings you the balance perhaps you need for the rear tyre.' he told Autosport Magazine.

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